By Chikezie Njoku
Last weekend, a political analyst and Traditional Prime Minister of Egbelu/Obube community in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State,Okenze George Nkwoji told the world – particularly, our political leaders in Owerri geopolitical zone the candid truth which they all know but deliberately chose to shy away from.In fact, it was more of a reminder than anything new to them. Okenze Nkwoji was blunt,frank, and said it the way it is.
He did not prevericate or dwell on half-truths – neither did he personalize his statements. Otherwise, his honesty would have been subsumed in personalized rejoinders and rhetoric. The essence of his message would also have been lost in the midst of such feeble defence mechanisms if he had singled out a particular leader for upbraiding. In other words, what he pointed out was a general malaise afflicting Owerri zone.
According to Nkwoji, we have a catalogue of educated political leaders, yet we have no leadership. This is a fact that nobody – no matter how hard he or she tries to counter it – ends up looking more ridiculous than whatever argument he or she may be proferring in defence.
Do we have political leaders in Owerri zone? Yes, we do. Are they organized and united,such that they can speak with one voice? The answer is absolutely NO.
So why the fuss about the truth and advice from Okenze Nkwoji to our political leaders in Owerri zone? For how long can we dwell in self-denial and pretend that all is well in Owerri zone? To me, the worst form of deceit is self-deceit – it is contagious because these political leaders masturbating failed leadership credentials are not telling us – their followers, the truth.
Our experience with OZOPOLF’s sale-out in 2015 to Rochas Okorocha suffices here. I hope that I am communicating? History never forgets.
From Owerri Zone Political Leaders Forum (OZOPOLF) to Imo Harmony Project (IHP); from Owerri Zone Awareness Coalition (OZAC) to Olu Owerri; from Nzuko Owerri to Ezuruezu Mbaise; from The Mazi Organization (TMO) to the new radical youth group – Owerri Zone Progressives Forum (OZOPROF) – the cacophony from Owerri zone rages on. All these sociopolitical groups have their respective captains, but no central rallying point. This was the crux of Okenze Nkwoji’s message.
Come to think of it, is Nkwoji the only voice crying in the wilderness and calling on our people of Owerri zone to rethink ? Of course, no. Ndaa Paddy Obinna, Ndaa Bob Njamanze, Prof Vitalis Ajumbe, and some other leaders in Owerri zone have also hammered against the selfish power tussle in Owerri zone and the need for a sober reflection.
But who will bell the cat? Who will blink first among Owerri political leaders? Who will bow to the other? Is it Prince Charls Amadi (Charlvon) or Capt Emmanuel Iheanacho? Is it Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha or Dr Matthew Chima Amadi? Is it Chief Martin Agbaso (Ochuodu) or Distinguished Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu ? Is it Sir Jude Ejiogu or Chief Emmanuel Okwu of OZAC – not to mention the radical youth wing, OZOPROF,who is calling for a paradigm shift, new order and phasing out of the present crop of political leaders in Owerri zone whom they accused of self-centredness.
If truth be told, the political noise emanating from Owerri zone is nauseating. It shows immaturity and lack of focus as Okenze Nkwoji had posited.
In public glare, these political leaders exchange banters, hug one another, and pretend as if all is well amongst them. But inside them is a deep-seated animosity for one another. In their actions behind the facade, they behave like crabs(Nshiko, pulling down one another and thinking that it is political smartness. No – it is political foolery ; just like a person living in fools’ paradise.
I would rather advise our political leaders to do away with self-adulation,be humble, embrace one another, and plan ahead for 2031 governorship election. Yes – as Okenze Nkwoji rightly argued, it will be very difficult for these crop of leaders to humble themselves and mend fences before 2027 gubernatorial election.
It will be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for Capt Iheanacho’s IHP group to allow Charlvon’s OZOPOLF to succeed Governor Hope Uzodinma. Similarly, Ihedioha can bet his last card to ensure Samdaddy Anyanwu never enters Government House before him. Will Jude Ejiogu and his Emekuku/Egbu clique fold their arms and allow Chima Amadi bulldozer everybody out of the way,etc?
The whole thing is like a vicious circle for all of them. Leadership in Owerri zone is a tug of war. No matter how we pretend about it, we,in Owerri zone, are the most fragmented – politically in Imo State.
Let’s not deceive ourselves with agitations for 2027 Imo governorship aspiration. I align completely with Okenze George Nkwoji’s submissions. We are not ready and should wait for 2031 because “a kingdom divided against itself can not stand.”
Njoku wrote from Amuzi,Mbaise LGA, Imo State.
